Turkey: 1 killed, another injured in mortar shell explosion in Kilis school

The Turkish authorities have initiated a probe to find if mortar was fired from the Syrian side of the border.

January 18, 2016 15:45 IST

Update, 3:44 pm: One person was killed and another was injured when a mortar shell exploded in a school in Turkish city of Kilis on Monday, the governor's office reportedly said.

The deceased has been identified as a female school employee, while the injured is a student from another school, a Wall Street Journal reporter said, citing a statement from the governor's office.

However, local media reports had earlier suggested that at least two people were feared dead in the blast. The Turkish authorities are investigating the exact number of casualties in the blast, according to Reuters.

Original Story:

At least two people were reportedly feared killed and several others injured when a mortar shell exploded in the compound of a school in Turkish city of Kilis on Monday. Kilis is located near the border with Syria.

Unconfirmed reports suggested that the mortar shell was fired from Syria.

The Turkish authorities have initiated an investigation to find if the shell was fired from the Syrian side, ITV News reported, citing Haberturk newspaper.

The incident took place at around 9:30 am in EyÃ¼p GÃ¶kÃ§eimam middle school. Ambulances and rescue teams were rushed to the blast site.

Injured people were shifted to Kilis State Hospital, TRT World reported.